Jake Dytnerski
Ph.D. candidate
Research
Hong Kong has a seasonally dynamic marine environment. Summer sea surface temperatures can exceed 30°C whereas winter temperatures can drop below 15°C. This range in temperature allows for year-round coral communities, and abundant growth of macroalgae in the winter. For my PhD, I am researching the role of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema setosum, in the ecosystem, here in Hong Kong. Much work has been done on Diadema antillarum in the Caribbean, and some work has been done on the D. setosum as a bioeroder of coral reefs in the tropics. However, little is known about which marcoalgae these urchins feed on; how they affect the seasonal patterns of macroalgae growth and distribution; if the urchins target living corals here in Hong Kong or just the turf algae that grows on the dead skeletons of the corals. Answering these questions will help understand the food sources of the urchins and how their energy stores vary with the seasonal change in food abundance. I am also interested in the connectivity of the populations of D. setosum across its range, as they can be found from the East coast of Africa to French Polynesia, from Honshu, Japan to NSW, Australia. I want to compare the physiological performance of the urchins from stable tropical environments and highly variable environments to determine if they show extensive physiological plasticity, or if populations have adapted to variable environments. This will allow me to predict how these important grazers will cope with future conditions across their range.
Education
2016: Bachelor of Science, Honours Marine Biology, University of British Columbia, Canada
2013: Arts and Science Diploma: Biology, Langara College, Canada
Awards
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2015: Dean of Science Scholarship – Biology research grant
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2013: Betty and Tony Pletcher Memorial Scholarship – For Achievement in Biology
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2012: Real Estate Foundation Biology Student Bursary – Bursary for Biology students
Jay J. Minuti
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research
As ocean temperatures are rising, we are seeing an increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, which pose severe threats to species biodiversity by rapidly changing ecosystem functionality. My research interests are the effect of extreme weather events and how rapid changes in weather can affect biodiversity, particularly in habitats which provide a variety of ecosystem services. I am interested in how important habitats and their key species will be affected by extreme weather, such as oyster reefs, and how we can use this type of information to inform conservation and restoration initiatives.
Oyster reefs can provide the main structural and ecological component of coastal waters, through services such as shoreline protection from extreme weather & storm surge, denitrification, water filtration and providing habitat for a range of other species. My current project focusses on mapping the remnant oyster reefs in Hong Kong and determining the associated species and genetic diversity within these mosaics. This project will help to provide a baseline of how best to manage these habitats and to support efforts for their restoration.
